BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
Swaminarayan tradition (BAPS); several deities enshrined temple · Abu Dhabi (Abu Mureikhah area), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Photo: Asd Akhilesh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
BAPS Hindu Mandir is a traditional stone Hindu temple in the Abu Mureikhah area of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, built by the Swaminarayan organisation BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha). It was inaugurated on 14 February 2024 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Arab News; Gulf News). Reports describe it as the first traditionally built Hindu temple in the UAE, and the temple is open to people of all faiths (Arab News; The National).
The complex is set in the desert off the main highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and the temple's seven spires are widely described as representing the seven emirates (Gulf News; The National).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
For the Hindu community in the UAE, which The National puts at more than 660,000 residents, the temple provides a stone mandir for worship in the Gulf (The National). BAPS belongs to the Swaminarayan tradition, and its temples are dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the lineage of gurus who followed him; the sources consulted do not give a single authoritative list of the deities installed in Abu Dhabi (see verification notes).
Beyond worship, the opening events were called the 'Festival of Harmony', and Gulf News reported a 'Wall of Harmony' gifted by the Bohra community. Gulf News also notes that people of different faiths took part in the construction (Gulf News).
Heritage
History of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
According to Gulf News, the land was given by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now UAE President, when he was Crown Prince, around Prime Minister Modi's 2015 visit; The National gives the area given to the Indian community as more than 5.4 hectares, while Arab News says the temple stands on 27 acres, and the UAE government donated the land (Gulf News; The National; Arab News). These figures may describe different parts of the site and are not reconciled here.
Arab News reports that the groundbreaking took place in 2019 and that the temple was built with traditional techniques: more than 25,000 pieces of pink sandstone from Rajasthan and white Italian marble were carved by artisans in India and assembled in the UAE (Arab News). The National adds that artisans in Rajasthan and Gujarat carved more than 400 white pillars and that over 20,000 tonnes of stone and marble were shipped over three years (The National).
Modi performed consecration rituals with the temple's priests on 14 February 2024 (Arab News). Reports differ on when ordinary worshippers were first admitted: The National described the temple welcoming its first worshippers that same week, with public opening on the following Sunday, while other coverage cited 1 March 2024 as the public opening date. The temple's own pages should be treated as the guide to current access.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple is built in a traditional hand-carved stone style with seven spires (The National; Gulf News). Arab News gives a capacity of up to 10,000 people and The National gives 8,000 to 10,000 at a time. Carved stone panels show stories from various traditions, according to Gulf News.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
As listed by the temple (checked October 2026; confirm before visiting): the temple is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with Ganga Aarti at 7:30 PM on weekdays and at 6:45 PM and 7:30 PM on weekends and holidays. Registration is mandatory, and visitors without it are refused entry; a booking is made through the temple's 'Book a Visit' page, and a physical Emirates ID or passport must be carried. Bookings can only be made after arriving in the UAE.
The temple's dress code does not allow shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, tight or see-through clothing; sarongs are available for a fee at the front desk. The rules also bar outside food and drink (including water), flowers, professional cameras, selfie sticks, drones, tobacco and pets. Mobile-phone photography for personal use is allowed. Wheelchairs are available on request. Confirm all current arrangements with the temple.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 30 October 2026.
Location
How to Reach BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
The temple's website lists its address as P6 Al Taf Road (E16), Abu Dhabi, UAE, and also gives Exit 366 on Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Road (E11) as an access point (BAPS Hindu Mandir, mandir.ae). It lies off the main road linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai (Arab News).
Nearest airport and rail links were not given by the sources consulted, so they are not stated here. Check a current road or taxi route before travelling.
Location: Abu Dhabi (Abu Mureikhah area), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More in Hindu temples in Abu Dhabi · Swaminarayan tradition (BAPS); several deities enshrined temples
Questions
BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi?
It is in the Abu Mureikhah area, with the temple's website giving the address as P6 Al Taf Road (E16), Abu Dhabi, off the main route linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
When was the temple inaugurated?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on 14 February 2024, according to Arab News. Some reports give other dates for public opening, so check the temple for current access.
Who built the temple?
It was built by BAPS, a Swaminarayan organisation, on land given by the UAE leadership. Artisans in India carved the stone, which was assembled in the UAE (Arab News).
Why does the temple have seven spires?
Gulf News and The National report that the seven spires represent the seven emirates of the UAE.
Do I need to register before visiting?
Yes. As listed by the temple (checked October 2026), registration is mandatory and visitors without it are denied entry; carry an Emirates ID or passport. Confirm before visiting.
Is the temple open to people of other faiths?
Yes. Arab News and The National describe it as open to people of all faiths, subject to registration and the dress code.
What is the dress code?
No shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, or tight or see-through clothing. Sarongs can be hired at the front desk, according to the temple's website.
Sources and attribution
- BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi — BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi - visiting hours, address and rules
- BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi — BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi - home page
- Arab News — BAPS Hindu Mandir is also the first UAE temple built using traditional techniques
- Gulf News — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi
- The National — BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
- Wikimedia Commons — File:Abudabhimandir.jpg
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